...their hearts were hardened.

There are things that we need to see about ourselves and others. We need to understand how indelibly our sin clings to our hearts. Only Christ and the power of God through His Holy Spirit can wash away this darkness. Only the heat of his presence can melt away the hardness.

These disciples had been on a whirlwind tour of the miraculous as they traveled with Jesus. Now again, He sends them off on their own back across the sea against the wind. It should almost be predictable now that He would do as such. Christ seems always to push his disciples through hard things. Yet it was He who was mindful of their straining, and it was He who came to them walking on the sea. Perhaps they too had cried out to God for aid, but Mark emphasizes the watchful and careful eye of Christ. It reminds me of the verse in 1 Corinthians 10:13 saying that God will not tempt us beyond what we can bear and will always provide a way out. What a beautiful example of Christ in His physical body coming out to their rescue.

Now I am not sure what is meant by, "He meant to pass by them . . ." It isn't clear from the Scripture His original intent. Nonetheless, what did transpire is instructive to us. The disciples were terrified at seeing their Lord walking on the sea. They may not have known it was Him for it says they though He was a ghost. The appearance of Christ on the scene can often be terrifying. He is not a Lord to be bound by our expectations. Though when He appears, despite his terrible and awesome power, these precious words should echo in our ears, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." When trials beset us that come as a result of obedience to God we should remember, "Take heart; it is I." When persecution threatens us we should remember, "Do not be afraid." These things will come but none of it escapes the watchful eye of our Lord.

Now finally the Lord enters the boat with them and the winds ceased. And here is the crux; that the disciples were utterly astounded. They had seen Him multiply the loaves, heal the demoniac, raise the dead, and calm the sea before. Still they were astounded and it says that their hearts were hardened. I can only draw from this that only the working of God and Christ through His Holy Spirit can make the hardened heart soft. In time, and through His presence He is growing us into the children He desires. With ourselves we should be both watchful and patient. Likewise with others we should remember that we are all children of the same Father. In His time He will accomplish His will. This in no way relieves us from the responsibility to sharpen each other as iron on iron, but it removes from us the responsibility for the results.

Created over 1 year ago